Change of qualifying age for officer's pensions
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Change of qualifying age for officer's pensions
I've heard a rumour that a naval officer has successfully challenged the qualifying age of 21 from which officer's pensions start (on the grounds of discrimination between the relative ages of officers and other ranks). I am told that anyone can now ask for their pension to start from the day they join if this is before their 21st birthday. Has anybody any concrete news on this?
Join Date: Feb 2002
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Not sure about the starting age but under the new proposed pension there will be a common qualifying time of 18 years for a full pension for both Officers and other ranks.
Join Date: Jun 2000
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All rumour and hearsay, obviously, but I'd heard that they were about to change the age at which you could receive a pension. No more 38 year old pensioners !
What they give you with one hand they take away with the other.
What they give you with one hand they take away with the other.
Join Date: May 2002
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pensions
why would an officer want to complain about his or her pension qualifying age? you may complain about the starting age but you cant complain about getting a pension at 38, us enlisted trash have to wait until we're 40!
Join Date: Mar 2002
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I also started at the grand old age of 16. It wasn't until I was 17 that 'adult' service started and pensionable service. When I commissioned aged 34 those years from 17 to 21 were wiped clean away. I believe they should have been added to the officers pension scheme when that commenced. Sadly for all of us in that position, the MOD win hands down. Maybe something will come of this, who knows.
Last edited by flygunz; 30th Sep 2002 at 10:14.
Thread Starter
Have just been told that the original case was in fact an Army officer, but no details. Then spoke to Innsworth, who claim to have no knowledge about such a case and then gave me a lot of waffle about the terms and conditions of service blah blah.
I'll keep on digging, but if anyone knows more....
I'll keep on digging, but if anyone knows more....
Join Date: Aug 2002
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Understand from the initial blurb that the new pension qualifying times will be the same for Officers and OR. 'Bout time too. Officers Initial Pension point will increase to the 40 Years old point - this will be the same for OR. Pensionable service will be from joining at 16(?) for all. The new sceme will start in 2005 at the earliest. Anyone who is currently serving will have the option to transfer or remain with the present scheme.
GB
GB
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I must admit I have always found the pension rules a bit puzzling.
When starting RAF service at age 18 I was entitled to pay the reduced rate of NI (contracted out), this on the grounds that I was in an occupational pension scheme.
Since the years from 18-21 counted for nothing surely this must have been illegal, or in fact the RAF should cough up pension credits for those years!
What would have happened for example to someone who joined on a PC at age 18, made no SERPS contributions but left at 21. Working for anyone else they would either have preserved pension rights (albeit tiny), or be able to move their fund to their new employer.
I realize the RAF scheme is non-contributory but it does have a value. Indeed some people have transferred their pension to buy years of service with British Airways. Sadly an option no longer available.
When starting RAF service at age 18 I was entitled to pay the reduced rate of NI (contracted out), this on the grounds that I was in an occupational pension scheme.
Since the years from 18-21 counted for nothing surely this must have been illegal, or in fact the RAF should cough up pension credits for those years!
What would have happened for example to someone who joined on a PC at age 18, made no SERPS contributions but left at 21. Working for anyone else they would either have preserved pension rights (albeit tiny), or be able to move their fund to their new employer.
I realize the RAF scheme is non-contributory but it does have a value. Indeed some people have transferred their pension to buy years of service with British Airways. Sadly an option no longer available.
Gentleman Aviator
But the "non contributory" nature of the pension is a bit of a red herring. AFPRB always take the "free" pension into account when doing their comparisons with civilian jobs
AFPRB 31st Report - Jan 2002
I really must get out more........
To ensure that civilian earnings are comparable to military earnings, we also take account of the relative value of the military pension and the X-factor.
I really must get out more........
